The next day, someone came to the inn, coughed loudly in front of my room, and spoke.
"I've come from the Martial Arts Alliance. If it's not too rude, may I come in?"
I was curious why they had come. It seemed to be because of yesterday's commotion, but I didn't know whether the people who caused the commotion were connected to the Martial Arts Alliance or if their information was just fast.
"Come in."
When I gave permission, two people entered. One looked somewhat older, and judging by the Taoist crown he wore, he seemed to be from a Taoist sect. Probably from the Wudang Sect or the Huashan Sect. The other was a woman. She was covering her face with a thin silk cloth, but I knew she was Zhuge Xiaohui.
"Nice to meet you. I am Pung Cheong-un, the sect leader of the Huashan Sect."
"I am Zhuge Xiaohui, the daughter of the Zhuge Clan's clan leader. It is an honor to meet a Gonin."
Since they greeted me with proper courtesy, I also briefly introduced myself.
"Nice to meet you. I am Taejin. I was training alone in the mountains, and I came down hoping to encounter various martial arts."
Then Zhuge Xiaohui said incredulously.
"What nonsense is that? You say you came down after training in the mountains, yet you wear such luxurious clothes and have the wealth to stay in a room like this?"
As expected of the intelligent Zhuge Clan, she didn't just let it slide.
"Good grief, whether I wear luxurious clothes or have money, what business is it of yours?"
Then Pung Cheong-un said to me.
"I cannot believe it. Even when I look closely, I cannot discern your level. The state of 'returning to simplicity'... What is your true identity?"
"Didn't I say earlier? I came down from the mountains. Isn't that called a 'reclusive master'?"
Then Zhuge Xiaohui butted in again.
"Stop lying! You must say something believable."
"Good grief, this is ridiculous. Whether you believe me or not, I don't care. What are you going to do about it?"
I used telekinesis to open the window. Then, pointing to a distant mountain, I said to them.
"Do you see that mountain? Watch closely."
To prevent them from bothering me further, I showed off a little by swinging my hand in a chopping motion toward the mountain. The mountainside slightly lifted and then returned to its original position. That's what they saw, but the shockwave reached the inn after a time delay.
Rumble...
Then, people outside the inn briefly stopped in their tracks and looked around.
"What was that? An earthquake?"
"How strange. An earthquake happening at the Martial Arts Alliance..."
Then they went back to their own business.
I said to the two who were watching.
"If I wanted to, the Martial Arts Alliance would disappear that same day. Why would I care what you think?"
Then Pung Cheong-un trembled and said.
"The Life-Death Realm... No, beyond that..."
In terms of swordsmanship level, I thought I was close to the Natural Realm. But I didn't use the power of nature. Since I had high-purity mana, even the power of nature was impure and small in quantity. So honestly, it was ambiguous to classify it in martial arts terms.
"Wh-What are you planning to do with that power!"
Zhuge Xiaohui, flustered, even stammered as she asked.
"Just sightseeing."
At that, Zhuge Xiaohui sighed again, incredulous.
"Hah... Really... Where on earth did a monster like you come from..."
"I told you, from the mountains. Have a little faith."
"You expect me to believe that now... Hoo... Forget it."
I stood up and quickly approached them. They flinched for a moment and said.
"Wh-What is it?"
"Stay still for a moment."
I placed my hand on Zhuge Xiaohui's and Pung Cheong-un's heads and instantly read the martial arts of their sects stored in their minds. They were sweating cold, worried I might harm them. But even so, they couldn't resist.
"Hmm... Done."
Deciding I had read enough, I removed my hand from them.
"What exactly did you do?"
"Nothing at all."
"..."
When I said that, Zhuge Xiaohui said nothing. Then Pung Cheong-un, who had been thinking, spoke.
"I think we should go now. If you have time, may I come again tomorrow?"
"Do as you like. But don't bother me."
After they left, I began running simulations of the Huashan Sect's martial arts and the Zhuge Clan's martial arts, absorbing them as my own.
The next day, people came from the Martial Arts Alliance again. This time, besides Zhuge Xiaohui and Pung Cheong-un, there was one more person. That person looked just like a monk from the Shaolin Temple.
I first offered them seats.
"Please sit down. Although this isn't my house, you are guests."
At that, they sat on the chairs prepared in the room.
"It's almost mealtime. Are you hungry? Shall I get you something?"
When I asked, the monk, who had been listening, said with a cold sweat.
"Indeed, the words of the Huashan Sect leader are correct. I cannot gauge your level at all... And you appear so young. To be beyond the Life-Death Realm... Ah, I forgot. I am Priest Gakyeon, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple."
"I see. I'm Taejin."
"By any chance, have you achieved 'returning to youth'?"
"No. I've always looked like this."
"If it's not too rude, may I ask your age..."
"Ah... Um... Was I 18 here?"
At that, they were all extremely surprised.
"That's impossible..."
"More to the point, you come here for a moment too."
"Why?"
I placed my hand on the abbot's head as well. Then I began quickly reading his memories. As expected, the important secret manuals of the sects weren't all in the Martial Arts Alliance's library. By the way, it was my first time touching a bald head. Rather than the sensation, I first felt like I shouldn't be touching a bald head like this. Probably because of the perception of bald people back in Korea.
"What is this..."
The monk was quite flustered by the action. But he too did not resist.
"Hmm... Done."
Zhuge Xiaohui, who had been quietly watching, spoke.
"Is that some kind of ritual? What is that rude action?"
"Just a test."
I just blurted out something. I couldn't be bothered to make an excuse.
"I-I see. If you fail the test and resist, you'll have your head pulled off..."
Zhuge Xiaohui had a strange misunderstanding. That wasn't it, but my image had become a bit strange, so I didn't say anything.
"So, are you going to eat or not?"
"Yes."
I called the assistant, ordered food, and sat back down.
"So why did you come today?"
"It's obvious. An incredibly powerful master whose identity cannot be determined suddenly appeared at the Martial Arts Alliance, and now it's chaos."
At that, I joked a bit.
"Oh~ Such a master came? I'd like to meet him."
"Are you making fun of me right now? I'm talking about you! You!"
"Good grief, you can't take a joke. Anyway, I'm just going to participate in the tournament and leave. So you don't need to worry."
"I-Is that so? Then where will you go after that's over?"
"There's no reason to say that much."
Just then, the inn assistants brought the food. So we continued talking as we ate. I again sprinkled some magic white powder on my food, mixed it well, and ate.
"What is that?"
"Quite curious, aren't you. It's just powder that makes food taste better. Shall I sprinkle some for you too?"
Zhuge Xiaohui thought for a moment, then refused.
"No thanks."
Probably because of the martial arts environment, she was cautious of powder with unknown properties. Anyway, we continued talking as we ate.
"By any chance, are you aware that the martial arts world is currently in crisis?"
"I'm not interested. I don't have any family or acquaintances here, so I don't particularly need to concern myself."
"Even if a hostile force takes over the martial arts world and many people suffer, you wouldn't care?"
"The world has always been ruled by the strong in turn. Sacrifice is unavoidable in that process, and peace is not eternal. Challenges have always existed. Even if you lose, if they rule the world well, that would also be a good thing. Believing that only you represent justice is arrogance."
"But..."
Then Pung Cheong-un, who had been listening, spoke.
"Hmm... Those are words that could never come from an 18-year-old."
I felt a bit stung by that. Actually, I had lived a long time too. Then Zhuge Xiaohui, who had been thinking, said to me.
"You said you have no family or acquaintances in the martial arts world right now? Then how about me? Marry me. Then we would become family."
Whether it was a decision to sacrifice herself for the martial arts world, or whether she had fallen for me, Zhuge Xiaohui said something strange. I had read her memories and knew she had something going on with Yeon Bu-so, the son of the Martial Arts Alliance's leader.
"Are you saying that sincerely?"
"Why? Am I lacking? It's a bit much for me to say this myself, but I am called one of the Three Beauties of the martial arts world."
Zhuge Xiaohui removed the silk cloth covering her face and spoke. She was indeed a rare beauty for this era. But that was all.
"With that level of looks, you call yourself one of the Three Beauties..."
I briefly took 2B out of my inventory. 2B bowed her head to me in greeting.
"Master, your command."
"Show your face to them for a moment."
"Understood."
2B removed the blindfold covering her face and showed it to them. Those watching were surprised not only by her sudden appearance but also by 2B's appearance.
"That's enough."
"Understood, Master."
2B put her blindfold back on. Pung Cheong-un and Abbot Gakyeon couldn't take their eyes off 2B, who was now wearing her blindfold. It was understandable. Seeing 2B's face, already beautiful, combined with the pinnacle of modern makeup, K-beauty, anyone from this era couldn't help but be captivated.
"Such a beautiful woman exists... She is truly a celestial maiden. And when did she appear..."
"Namu Amita Bul..."
Honestly, I wanted to take out A2 as well, but her outfit was a bit too revealing for this era, so I didn't call her.
"There are countless people around me with appearances superior to yours. It would be best not to boast about your looks."
"I-I see..."
"If you have nothing else, stop talking nonsense and go back. I'm just going to watch the tournament and leave."
With no other options left, they had no choice but to return. Actually, Zhuge Xiaohui was a beauty. But I'm not starved for women, and I refuse women who come with impure intentions.
Anyway, I greeted 2B and put her back into my inventory.
"Thank you. I'll call you next time."
"Not at all, Master. Then I'll see you next time."
Another day passed. The next day, the Martial Arts Alliance finally began accepting registrations for the tournament, so I went to the registration desk and registered. I just used the name Taejin. After finishing the registration, I returned to the inn. The Martial Arts Alliance also offered separate lodging and meals, but there were too many people, so I decided to stay here.
But someone came from the Martial Arts Alliance again. These guys never seemed to get tired. This time, it was a middle-aged man with no left eye, dressed in luxurious clothes, along with Zhuge Xiaohui, who came every day, and Pung Cheong-un.
"You guys never get tired. I thought I wouldn't see you again until the tournament."
"Nice to meet you. I am Buk Jeong-do, the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance."
Since he introduced himself as the leader, I immediately grabbed his head and read his memories. And his martial arts too.
"Good grief... He said you wouldn't be surprised if I grabbed your head, and that was true."
"Hmm... Done. I am Taejin. Why did you come today? I'm sure I said I'm not interested in martial arts affairs."
"Let's go inside and talk first. It's not proper to talk here."
We went into the room, sat down, and continued talking.
"But why do you grab heads? It doesn't seem like you're implanting anything. If you're from another country, I can understand this strange greeting custom... but you speak our language well, so that doesn't seem entirely the case... Are you going to pull my head off if I resist, as Zhuge Xiaohui said?"
The leader seemed somewhat displeased about having his head grabbed.
"Think whatever you want."
"No, I must know. You ruined a marriage arrangement."
"What do you mean? I don't recall anything like that."
Then the leader explained in detail.
"Zhuge Xiaohui was supposed to become my daughter-in-law. Their relationship was good, but it ended because of yesterday's incident. So you bear some responsibility as well."
In the martial arts world, where pride is strong, since Zhuge Xiaohui had proposed to me in front of people, because of pride, the two of them could no longer marry.
"Good grief... So you're saying all this is because of Zhuge Xiaohui. Then if I erase Zhuge Xiaohui and her clan, that would solve it?"
"Th-That is..."
The leader seemed to be trying to manipulate me somehow. But I wasn't one to be easily controlled.
"Wait a moment. I'll go erase the Zhuge Clan right now."
Just as I was about to stand up, the leader broke out in a cold sweat and quickly apologized.
"Ah, no! I misspoke. I'm sorry."
"Are you joking with me right now? Is 'sorry' all it takes? You expected to make an unfair demand for something I didn't even do and get away with it?"
Zhuge Xiaohui, seeing things going awry, turned pale and prostrated herself before me, begging.
"I orchestrated all of this. So please calm your anger. I will become your personal servant, so please..."
I pretended to think for a moment, then spoke.
"No, that's not enough. Then let's do this. Since you've decided to become my servant, I'll give you half a day in return. In that time, evacuate the Zhuge Clan or whatever. After half a day, I'll blow away the entire site of the Zhuge Clan, roots and all."
At that, Zhuge Xiaohui and the leader quickly ran out of the inn. They had probably gone to inform the Zhuge Clan. Pung Cheong-un, who remained, spoke bitterly.
"Must it be this way?"
"Who was it that came to bother me for three days? And who was it that tried to play tricks? Isn't this enough compensation? So you should have behaved. I clearly showed you my power and warned you, didn't I?"
"That may be so... But your abilities are outstanding, so they were trying to recruit you. Considering the desperate situation of the Martial Arts Alliance, couldn't you just laugh it off?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm not that much of a Buddha. And I haven't been here long, so I don't know about the Martial Arts Alliance's situation. Nor am I interested."
"I-I see..."
Pung Cheong-un sighed deeply once more and left the inn. I waited exactly half a day, then flew to the Zhuge Clan. Near the Zhuge Clan, people who seemed to be clan members and people who seemed to be from the Martial Arts Alliance were watching me fearfully from a hill.
I immediately used [Telekinesis] to tear up the buildings and land of the Zhuge Clan entirely.
Rumble...
"That can't be, impossible!!"
"Is that man the same human as us?"
Whether they chattered below or not, I used [Telekinesis] and the [Guru Guru Fruit]'s power to strongly compress everything into a round mass. Then, using the [Mera Mera Fruit] and [Goro Goro Fruit], I applied intense heat to turn it into a black glass marble and placed it right there on the spot. Having made it like a piece of art, people began to stare in shock.
After finishing that, it suddenly became noisy below. Looking, I saw an elderly man on the Zhuge Clan side, with an angry face, raising a sword to strike Zhuge Xiaohui's neck. I teleported over and blocked the sword with my finger.
Clang!
"What are you doing? This woman is now my servant. Why are you touching my property?"
The elderly man was momentarily flustered, then said to Zhuge Xiaohui.
"Fine... That might be better. You, for the crime of ruining the clan, will live a life of servitude in pain. You will pay dearly for misusing that shallow brain of yours!"
Seeing him say this to Zhuge Xiaohui, this man was probably the Zhuge Clan's leader. The Zhuge Clan leader was speaking in anger, but the people behind him were trembling in fear at me. I used [Telekinesis] to lift the weeping Zhuge Xiaohui and flew to the inn where I was staying.